Surat: Sharp differences on key issues among leaders of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), fighting for reservation in jobs and educational institutes for community members, have almost tamed the ‘Patidar wave’ in the Diamond City.Patidar quota activists from the city are unsure about their association with any political outfit in this parliamentary elections. Confusion in the outfit and differences among activists have become a normal thing as seen in a recent get-together organized in Ahmedabad where some invitees from the city were involved in a scuffle with others for not having the photograph of convener Alpesh Kathiriya, currently in jail in sedition case, on a PAAS banner.“Unnecessarily an issue has been created. Some activists, who have affection for Kathiriya, might have done something, but then they were not representing all of us. Finally, it is community’s loss,” said Dharmik Malaviya, a PAAS leader who is running the outfit in the city in Kathiriya’s absence.PAAS is struggling ever since Congress candidates supported by it lost in the city in the assembly elections held in 2017. PAAS used to draw huge crowds before 2017 assembly elections when the movement under Hardik Patel and Kathiriya was just focused on reservation. It has failed to elicit similar response thereafter. Arrest of Kathiriya, who was out on bail, after registration of multiple offences against him has made matters worse for PAAS. His video abusing an assistant commissioner of police while in lock-up of Varachha police station tarnished his as well as the outfit’s image.“PAAS is losing ground in Patidar-dominated areas of Surat. A number of people support PAAS on quota movement, but due to political uncertainty among its leadership, they will vote in the ensuing elections as per their individual likings,” a Patidar community leader said.PAAS Surat is writing to leaders of major political parties to come clear on quota for Patidars. “Congress is trying to make use of the movement but its leaders are not giving any promise on reservation. We are writing letters to them and BJP leaders to accept our demands. Currently, we are no supporting any political party,” Malaviya said. During 2017 assembly elections, PAAS Surat had thrown its weight around with regard to selection of Congress candidates in the city.Apart from reservation for Patidars, PAAS Surat has decided to stick to its demand of withdrawal of cases against Kathiriya and justice to Patidar youths who lost their lives during the quota movement. “Hardik wanted to go with Congress. He will no longer be active as PAAS leader,” Malaviya added.

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